William J. "Bill" Hays - Obituary

William J. "Bill" Hays, age 74 of Sidney, NE passed away on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 in Sidney. Memorial services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Friday, January 5th, 2018 in the First United Methodist Church with Pastor Corey Jenkins officiating. Cremation has been held. Services will conclude at the Church. Friends may stop at the Gehrig-Stitt Chapel on Thursday, January 4th to sign Bill's register book and leave condolences for the family. Memorial contributions may be made in Bill's name to the First United Methodist Church. You may view Bill's Book of Memories, leave condolences, photos and stories at http://www.gehrigstittchapel.com.

Gehrig-Stitt Chapel & Cremation Service, LLC is in charge of Bill's care and funeral arrangements.

William Hays was born January 16, 1943 to Samuel and Frances (Armen) Hays in Rochester, PA. He graduated from Rochester High in 1960. Bill joined the United States Air Force and serve four years in the Strategic Missile Wing as a specialist on the Atlas and Titan Missiles during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

He was united in marriage to Carolyn Osborne in Sidney on October 5, 1963. To this union four children were born: David (Wendy) Hays of Phoenix, Deborah Hays-Deal of Kenesaw, NE, Douglas Hays of Sidney and Dale Hays. His grandchildren include: Adam (Krista) Deal of Kimball, Kristin (Jason) DeKoch of Lincoln, Jacob (Kephanie) Deal of Stratton, NE, Nicholas Hays of Sidney, Patriac Hays of Centerton, AR; great-grandchildren: Dalton and Addison Deal, Bradley and Brooklyn DeKoch and Kenley Evans.

Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Sidney and a member of the Crusin Class Car Club where he served seven years as President. He was a police officer for the City of Sidney for ten years, an automotive machinist for Humphrey Auto Parts and Big-A Auto Parts, a sign specialist for the Cheyenne County Highway Department for fifteen years and sang with the Fort Sidney Colonels for twelve years.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Joe and Sam and infant son Dale.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-four years, Carolyn; one sister: Mary Holby of Rochester, PA; brother-in-law and sister-in-law: Bob and Dorothy Spearow of Stromsburg, NE; his three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.